Dutch press urge Joshua Zirkzee to follow in footsteps of Man Utd icon with ‘furious’ point made

Joshua Zirkzee has something to build upon with his goal for the Netherlands against Serbia, but the Dutch press are urging him to do more.

From not even being called up by the Netherlands to coming off the bench and scoring the winner against Serbia, Joshua Zirkzee is in dreamland.

Zirkzee showed poacher’s instinct for the winner in the 2-1 victory, and vindicated Xavi for calling him up when injuries struck the side.

The Dutch press are now urging him to follow in the footsteps of a Man Utd icon who was the master of such goals and is a part of the coaching setup right now.

Joshua Zirkzee given Ruud van Nistelrooy’s example

When it comes to scoring the “ugly” goals, there aren’t many better in world football than Ruud van Nistelrooy, who made a career out of putting his body on the line to send the ball over the line.

Van Nistelrooy is currently part of the Netherlands coaching setup with Xavi, and was seen speaking to Zirkzee after the winner.

The kind of goal Zirkzee scored against Serbia had shades of Van Nistelrooy all over it, and the Dutch press urged him to look up to the Man Utd icon.

Dutch football analyst and former player Hans Kraay said to Voetbal Primeur that Zirkzee is not “furious” when he doesn’t score and his team wins, which is the killer instinct elite strikers need to have.

He said: “Zirkzee loves playing fine football and has mastered the game. He isn’t furious if they win 2-1 and he hasn’t scored. Van Nistelrooy was like that: he was only interested in scoring.

If Zirkzee gets called up more often for the national team, Van Nistelrooy needs to instil that mentality in him. Then he can really become a very great striker.”

Kraay makes a valid point, as a lack of desire has often been cited as one of the key reasons why Zirkzee isn’t more prolific. He has a tendency to shirk duels, get in the thick of things, and prefers being fancy over being functional.

If he can add that killer instinct to his technical excellence, then United will have a complete striker. Van Nistelrooy needs to do United that favour.